Mom recently diagnosed with breast cancer

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rpreston133
rpreston133 Member Posts: 6
edited February 2018 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Good afternoon all,

My mom left Sloan Kettering last Friday. It would seem that there are two small shaded areas that showed up in the PET scan in her mid back and her neck. My father, per the doctors, tells me that this could be the presence of bone cancer. So the cancer, it seems, has spread from the breast to her back area. I presume this would be stage IV cancer? If so, does anyone know the expectancy of someone who is diagnosed with these types of cancer? Everyone hates to lose loved ones but I'm just sad and looking for insight if anyone has ever been through something similar? Thank you all for your support,

God Bless,

Robbie

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  • ABeautifulSunset
    ABeautifulSunset Member Posts: 990
    edited February 2018

    Robbie, if she is indeed Stage 4 then there is no cure. However, if it stays in her bones she can live out her full life. Even if it eventually spreads to other organs, life spans are continuing to lengthen with new treatments that have come into play. This is not the end for your mom. Be positive, be hopeful. I bet she’s got lots and lots of years.

    And keep away from google life expectancies. It’s old stats and it’s also bullcrap

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  • rpreston133
    rpreston133 Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2018

    Thank you, ABeautifulSunset. It seems that my mom has chosen to go the route of alternative treatment techniques. That is, she has chosen to change her diet so that the cancer has less of a chance of spreading (no sugars) in addition to some hormonal treatments but she has chosen not to do chemo, radiation, or surgery. I'm not sure I know if this is something that anyone would recommend but part of me wants her to continue with chemo but not sure if this will have more benefits than an "all natural" fight. I don't know what to think about her proposed way forward but I'm questioning it...

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  • ABeautifulSunset
    ABeautifulSunset Member Posts: 990
    edited February 2018

    there is a good alternative medicine thread on these boards. It’s not my thing, but it is for some. There is probably a lot of good info there.

    This is ultimately your moms choice, and you will hopefully be able to support whatever she chooses. I would hope at least she looks at ALLof her choices and possible outcomes before she commits to one.

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited February 2018

    Hi Robbie, thank you for updating us, and of course I am so very sorry your family is going through this. I agree that it would be best for your mom to see a second doctor, just to be sure she understands the choices she has, and the pros and cons of each possible treatment. I do wonder if she's in shock, or too depressed to engage with doctors? It would not be at all surprising. But I do agree with ABeautifulSunset that ultimately it is her decision.

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  • Peregrinelady
    Peregrinelady Member Posts: 1,019
    edited February 2018
    Rpreston, if she is stage IV and her cancer is ER+, an antihormonal medicine is often the first step. Radiation and chemo may come later. Please let her know that people are living longer with new drugs and you may may want to ask her if you can go to the Dr with her so that you are informed, as well.


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